Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, anglicised as Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, was a Russian composer.
Born on May 7th, 1840
He began piano lessons at the age.
His parents wanted him to be a lawyer, but he dropped out of school and taught piano to earn money.
Luckily he was supported finacially by a woman with lots of money, therefore he could concentrate on his compositions.
On November 6th, 1893, a mere nine days after the premiere of his Sixth Symphony, Tchaikovsky died in Saint Petersburg. Only fifty-three years of age, it is generally believed his death was the result of cholera.
He was most famous for the music he wrote for the Ballet stories of Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker.
He also wrote a song entitled "Sleeping Beaty" that Disney used one hundred years later in thier cartoon, writing words (lyrics) for Aurora to sing. Listen and watch Disney version: Sleeping Beauty
Other well known songs from Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
Piano Concerto No.1 Violin Concerto/Capriccio Italien/Francesca da Rimini etc.(Horacio Gutierrez, piano/ Andre Previn-cond./Seiji Ozawa-cond./others) (2 CD's) (Seraphim,EMI) The Piano concerto is beautifully played by Horacio and Andre in a solid performance of great virtuosity and feeling. Many recordings of this popular piece make choosing a favorite a difficult task, as Van Cliburn and others come to mind. Yet these 2 CD's offer a nice selection of works at a very reasonable price.
Manfred Symphony (Concertgebouw Orchestra/Riccardo Chailly) (London) Under some prodding by Balakirev, Tchaikovsky took up Byron's subject of Manfred to compose a masterpiece in sound. This recording is full-bodied and nicely paced, as each movement carries significance to the underlying theme of Manfred's psychological torments and adventures. Something Tchaikovsky could easily identify with. Here is a work that clearly dispels the haughty critics who said, and some still say, Tchaikovsky could only write trite ballet music. A powerful and moving work.
Symphony 5 / Hamlet(Orchestre symphonique de Montreal/Charles Dutoit-cond.) (London) The fifth symphony develops a recurring fate theme that somberly echoes throughout the symphony. A reprieve in the second movement summons up a tender love melody that doesn't exactly find peace, as it is interrupted twice by fate. The symphony does however end triumphantly, though somewhat dubious. Hamlet is a fine piece of music that depicts the moods and actions of the play with good results. Although Franz Liszt's Hamlet is a superior work, and this work's predecessor and possible inspiration, it should be heard more in the concert hall. A splendid CD.
Symphony 6 "Pathetique"(Chicago Symphony Orchestra/James Levine-cond) (RCA) This piece delighted Tchaikovsky more than any other work. Oddly enough, it was to be his last, for he died nine days after it's premiere. The music is intensely moving and revolves around the universal theme of LIFE and DEATH. A solid performance by Levine and the Chicago Symphony.
Swan Lake & Sleeping Beauty suites (Philadelphia Orchestra/Riccardo Muti) (EMI) For those seeking only the suites or (carefully selected excerpts) this recording offers both popular ballets each performed with panache.
Romeo & Juliet / Nutcracker Suite (Cleveland Orchestra/ Lorin Maazel) (Telarc) A great recording of two beloved favorites. A listening pleasure to delight thewhole family.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, anglicised as Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, was a Russian composer.Born on May 7th, 1840
He began piano lessons at the age.
His parents wanted him to be a lawyer, but he dropped out of school and taught piano to earn money.
Luckily he was supported finacially by a woman with lots of money, therefore he could concentrate on his compositions.
On November 6th, 1893, a mere nine days after the premiere of his Sixth Symphony, Tchaikovsky died in Saint Petersburg. Only fifty-three years of age, it is generally believed his death was the result of cholera.
He was most famous for the music he wrote for the Ballet stories of Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker.
He also wrote a song entitled "Sleeping Beaty" that Disney used one hundred years later in thier cartoon, writing words (lyrics) for Aurora to sing. Listen and watch Disney version:
Sleeping Beauty
Other well known songs from Tchaikovsky:
The Nutcracker
The Storm
Piano Concerto No.1 Violin Concerto/Capriccio Italien/Francesca da Rimini etc. (Horacio Gutierrez, piano/ Andre Previn-cond./Seiji Ozawa-cond./others) (2 CD's) (Seraphim,EMI)
The Piano concerto is beautifully played by Horacio and Andre in a solid performance of great virtuosity and feeling. Many recordings of this popular piece make choosing a favorite a difficult task, as Van Cliburn and others come to mind. Yet these 2 CD's offer a nice selection of works at a very reasonable price.
Manfred Symphony (Concertgebouw Orchestra/Riccardo Chailly) (London)
Under some prodding by Balakirev, Tchaikovsky took up Byron's subject of Manfred to compose a masterpiece in sound. This recording is full-bodied and nicely paced, as each movement carries significance to the underlying theme of Manfred's psychological torments and adventures. Something Tchaikovsky could easily identify with. Here is a work that clearly dispels the haughty critics who said, and some still say, Tchaikovsky could only write trite ballet music. A powerful and moving work.
Symphony 5 / Hamlet (Orchestre symphonique de Montreal/Charles Dutoit-cond.) (London)
The fifth symphony develops a recurring fate theme that somberly echoes throughout the symphony. A reprieve in the second movement summons up a tender love melody that doesn't exactly find peace, as it is interrupted twice by fate. The symphony does however end triumphantly, though somewhat dubious. Hamlet is a fine piece of music that depicts the moods and actions of the play with good results. Although Franz Liszt's Hamlet is a superior work, and this work's predecessor and possible inspiration, it should be heard more in the concert hall. A splendid CD.
Symphony 6 "Pathetique"(Chicago Symphony Orchestra/James Levine-cond) (RCA)
This piece delighted Tchaikovsky more than any other work. Oddly enough, it was to be his last, for he died nine days after it's premiere. The music is intensely moving and revolves around the universal theme of LIFE and DEATH. A solid performance by Levine and the Chicago Symphony.
Swan Lake & Sleeping Beauty suites (Philadelphia Orchestra/Riccardo Muti) (EMI)
For those seeking only the suites or (carefully selected excerpts) this recording offers both popular ballets each performed with panache.
Romeo & Juliet / Nutcracker Suite (Cleveland Orchestra/ Lorin Maazel) (Telarc)
A great recording of two beloved favorites. A listening pleasure to delight the whole family.